Diego Alves: Valencia goalkeeper breaks La Liga record with amazing 17th penalty save

VALENCIA moved up to 14th in La Liga with a 2-1 win at Leganes thanks to goalkeeper Diego Alves.

The Brazilian stopper incredibly saved the 17th penalty of his career - he's saved more than half of those he's faced.

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The club where Gary Neville spent four months in charge last season have now recorded consecutive La Liga victories after losing all their first four games.

The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute when Alves saved Alexander Szymanowski's penalty low to his right.

Incredibly, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa have all had spot kicks saved by the Brazilian international.

The 62nd minute penalty save was Alves' 17th in La Liga and means he has overtaken the previous record set by Barcelona and Spain legend Andoni Zubizarreta.

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Former Champions League finalists Valencia have won both their games under caretaker manager Voro following their disastrous start under Gary Neville's successor Pako Ayesteran.

After Szymanowski had put Leganes 1-0 up, Valencia responded with goals from two familiar Premier League faces.

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Nani scored Valencia's equaliser before on-loan Watford midfielder Mario Suarez netted the winner on 52 minutes.

Next Sunday they face what should be a tougher test at home to Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.

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